Fisheries & Blue Economy of India
Overview
India's vast coastline (~7,516 km), Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.37 million km², 3 major river systems, and extensive inland water bodies make it one of the world's most productive fisheries nations. Fisheries support the livelihoods of ~28 million people (fishers, fish workers, and allied sectors) and contribute to food security for hundreds of millions more.
India is the world's 2nd largest fish producer (behind China) and the 2nd largest aquaculture producer globally. The sector contributes ~1% of GDP and ~6.7% of agricultural GDP. The government's vision: make India a global fishing hub under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Key Fact: India produced 17.8 million tonnes of fish in 2022-23. Target under PMMSY: 22 million tonnes by 2024-25. India's fish and seafood exports earned approximately ₹63,969 crore (~US$7.76 billion) in 2023-24 — making it one of the top agricultural export earners.
India's Fisheries Sector — Overview
Production Data
| Category | Production (2022-23) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Marine fisheries | ~3.69 million tonnes | ~21% |
| Inland fisheries | ~13.14 million tonnes | ~74% |
| Aquaculture (total) | ~10.7 million tonnes | — |
| Total | ~17.8 million tonnes | — |
Note: India's inland fisheries (rivers, reservoirs, ponds, tanks) now far exceed marine capture fisheries — reflecting the success of inland aquaculture.
Significance
- Employment: ~28 million people in fisheries and allied activities; 50% of fishing community = women (processing, trading, marketing)
- Nutrition: Fish provides 50–60% of animal protein to coastal and riverine communities
- Export: Frozen shrimp = India's largest seafood export; major markets: USA, EU, Southeast Asia, China
- PVTG communities: Fishing is the primary livelihood of many tribal coastal and riverine communities
Marine Fisheries
Coastline and EEZ
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Total coastline | ~7,516 km (mainland + islands) |
| Continental shelf | ~530,000 km² — rich in demersal fish |
| EEZ | 2.37 million km² — one of the world's largest EEZs |
| Potential marine fish production | Estimated ~5 million tonnes/year (currently underutilised) |
State-wise Marine Fisheries
| State | Share of Marine Landings | Key Species |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | ~22% — largest | Bombil (Bombay Duck), Squid, Demersal fish |
| Andhra Pradesh | ~20% | Prawn, Shrimp, Flatfish |
| Kerala | ~18% | Sardine, Mackerel, Tuna, Prawns |
| Tamil Nadu | ~14% | Seer fish, Tuna, Grouper |
| Maharashtra | ~8% | Pomfret, Mackerel |
| Karnataka | ~7% | Tiger Prawn, Crab |
| Odisha + WB | ~5% | Hilsa (IIish), Rohu, Prawn |
Gujarat has overtaken Kerala as the top marine fish producer — driven by mechanised trawlers from Veraval, Porbandar, Mangrol.
Major Fishing Harbours
| Harbour | State | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Kochi (Cochin) Fishing Harbour | Kerala | Largest major fishing harbour in India |
| Vishakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | Major harbour; tuna landing |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | Large-scale mechanised fishing |
| Mumbai (Sassoon Docks) | Maharashtra | Traditional + mechanised |
| Porbandar, Veraval, Mangrol | Gujarat | Largest cluster of fishing vessels in India |
| Paradeep | Odisha | Eastern India hub |
| Mandapam | Tamil Nadu | Pearl fishery, Gulf of Mannar |
Inland Fisheries
India's inland fishery is the world's 2nd largest by production volume:
Categories
| Type | Examples | Key States |
|---|---|---|
| River capture | Hilsa (Ganga/Hooghly), Mahseer (Himalayan rivers), Catfish | WB, Bihar, Assam, UP |
| Reservoir fisheries | Nagarjuna Sagar, Hirakud, Gobind Sagar | AP, Odisha, HP |
| Tank/pond aquaculture | Rohu, Catla, Mrigal (Indian major carps) | WB, AP, Bihar, UP |
| Floodplain lakes (Beels) | Deepor Beel, Loktak — natural productivity | Assam, Manipur |
| Brackish water | Shrimp ponds in deltaic areas | AP, WB, Kerala, Odisha |
Aquaculture Leaders (State-wise)
| Rank | State | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | ~40% of India's aquaculture; shrimp and carp; Razole, Krishna delta |
| 2 | West Bengal | Hilsa, carp; Kolkata wetlands (East Kolkata) |
| 3 | Odisha | Shrimp, carp |
| 4 | Uttar Pradesh | Inland carp production |
| 5 | Bihar | Rohu, Catla, Mrigal |
Hilsa (Ilish): National fish of Bangladesh; anadromous — breeds in freshwater, grows in marine; now severely overfished; GI tag for Padma Hilsa (Bangladesh); "Hooghly Hilsa" is becoming rare.
PMMSY — Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | May 2020 |
| Duration | 2020-21 to 2024-25 (5 years) |
| Total outlay | ₹20,050 crore — largest ever investment in Indian fisheries |
| Ministry | Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) |
| Central share | ₹9,407 crore; State: ₹4,880 crore; Beneficiary: ₹5,763 crore |
| Target | Increase fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2024-25 |
| Key goals | Double fishers' income; 9% growth in fisheries GVA; exports to ₹1 lakh crore |
PMMSY Sub-components
| Area | Intervention |
|---|---|
| Fishing vessels | Subsidised motorisation; GPS navigation; life jackets |
| Cold chain | Ice plants, cold storage, refrigerated transport — reduce post-harvest losses (25–30%) |
| Deep-sea fishing | Large vessels for beyond 12 NM; tuna fishing development |
| Seaweed cultivation | Multipurpose sea weed parks; Tamil Nadu coast |
| Ornamental fish | Training for aquarium fish trade |
| Fishers welfare | Kisan Credit Card extended to fishers; accident insurance (₹5 lakh cover) |
| Aquaculture | Cage culture, biofloc technology, RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) |
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 1972 under MPEDA Act |
| Function | Promotes marine product exports; quality standards; market development |
| Headquarters | Kochi, Kerala |
| Flagship export | Frozen shrimp — India's #1 seafood export; ~43% of total seafood export value |
| Key market | USA (largest buyer of Indian shrimp) |
| EIC | Export Inspection Council certifies quality |
India's top seafood exports: Frozen shrimp > Fish products > Cephalopods (squid/cuttlefish) > Dried products
Deep-Sea Fishing Policy
India's EEZ of 2.37 million km² remains significantly underutilised beyond 12 nautical miles. The government is actively promoting deep-sea fishing:
- Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): ₹7,522 crore; institutional loans for infrastructure
- Deep-sea tuna fishing: India has minimal presence in the high-seas tuna fisheries (where Japan, Korea, China dominate); PMMSY aims to develop long-line tuna fleet
- BLC (Blue Water Vessels): Subsidies for large vessels operating 50+ NM offshore
- Dispute with Sri Lanka: Indian fishers from Tamil Nadu regularly fish in Palk Bay, occasionally crossing into Sri Lanka's waters → arrests of Tamil Nadu fishers; ongoing diplomatic issue
Blue Economy
Concept
The Blue Economy encompasses all economic activities related to the ocean, seas, and coasts — sustainably utilising ocean resources while maintaining ecosystem health. For India, it encompasses:
- Marine fisheries and aquaculture
- Coastal and marine tourism
- Marine renewable energy (offshore wind, tidal, wave, OTEC)
- Seabed minerals (polymetallic nodules, cobalt crusts, gas hydrates)
- Desalination
- Port-led development (Sagarmala)
- Marine biotechnology
- Coastal defence and security
NITI Aayog Blue Economy Policy Framework (2021)
India's first comprehensive Blue Economy policy document:
- 12 thematic areas
- Ocean economy estimated at ~US$80 billion; target US$170 billion by 2030
- Emphasised sustainable use, marine spatial planning, climate resilience
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
- PM Modi's vision announced in 2015 (Mauritius) — India's maritime neighbourhood doctrine
- Focus: collective security, economic development, resilience in the Indian Ocean Region
- Evolved into MAHASAGAR (March 2025, Mauritius) — expanded vision for inclusive Blue Economy cooperation across Indian Ocean littoral states
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)
- Governs how different ocean areas are used (fishing, shipping, conservation, energy)
- India developing MSP framework under NITI Aayog guidance
- Critical to avoid conflicts between fishers, shipping, oil exploration, wind energy
Special Fisheries Topics
Seaweed Cultivation
- India has ~14,500 km of coastline (including islands) and rich seaweed diversity
- Major seaweed cultivation states: Tamil Nadu (Pamban/Rameswaram), Gujarat (Gulf of Kutch)
- Species: Kappaphycus alvarezii (red seaweed; carrageenan extraction); Gracilaria spp.
- Uses: Food, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, biofuel, cosmetics
- PM-MSP (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana) has seaweed cultivation component
- Government's Seaweed Parks initiative (first at Mandapam, Tamil Nadu)
Ornamental Fisheries
- India exports ~₹100 crore in ornamental fish annually — dominated by Kerala
- Kolkata: Major hub for freshwater ornamental fish trade
- Potential largely untapped; Southeast Asia dominates global ornamental fish trade (~US$5 billion)
Pearl Culture
- Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu): Traditional pearl fishery; now mostly cultured pearls
- Freshwater pearl culture: Introduced in Odisha, Bihar, HP — tribal livelihood programme
Fishing Communities
| Community | State | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Koli | Maharashtra, Gujarat | Marine fishing; Mumbai's fishing villages |
| Mukkuvar / Mukkuvan | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Deep-sea marine fishing; Catholic tradition |
| Jalari / Vadabalija | Andhra Pradesh | Marine coastal fishing |
| Tiyya | Kerala | Inland fishing |
| Nishad | UP, Bihar | Riverine fishing; Ganga basin |
| Kharwa | Gujarat | Coastal fishing; salt-making |
Key Facts for UPSC
- India's fish production: ~17.5 million tonnes (2022-23); actual 2024-25 ~19.8 MT; PMMSY target 22 MT
- Global rank: 2nd largest fish producer (behind China); 2nd largest aquaculture producer
- PMMSY: May 2020; ₹20,050 crore; 5 years; largest-ever investment in Indian fisheries
- EEZ: 2.37 million km² — one of the world's largest fishing zones; significant underutilisation beyond 12 NM
- Gujarat: Largest marine fish landing state (~22%); Veraval, Porbandar major centres
- Andhra Pradesh: Largest aquaculture state (~40% of India's aquaculture); shrimp + carp
- Kerala (Kochi): Largest major fishing harbour in India
- Frozen shrimp: India's #1 seafood export; USA = top buyer
- MPEDA: Marine Products Export Development Authority; established 1972; HQ Kochi
- Blue Economy: Ocean-based sustainable economy; India's framework = NITI Aayog 2021; target US$170 billion by 2030
- SAGAR: 2015; Mauritius; India's maritime neighbourhood vision; upgraded to MAHASAGAR (March 2025)
- Seaweed parks: First at Mandapam, Tamil Nadu
- Hilsa: Anadromous; Hooghly and Ganga; Bangladesh's national fish; severely overfished
- FIDF: Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund; ₹7,522 crore; deep-sea infrastructure
- Palk Bay conflict: Tamil Nadu fishers arrested by Sri Lanka for crossing maritime boundary — ongoing issue
- Continental shelf: ~530,000 km²; India's claim extended under UNCLOS to cover gas hydrates and minerals
UPSC Previously Asked
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched in May 2020 with the largest-ever investment in Indian fisheries — ₹20,050 crore over 5 years — targeting 22 MT fish production by 2024-25.
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) was announced by PM Modi in March 2015 in Mauritius as India's maritime neighbourhood doctrine; it was upgraded to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) in March 2025, also in Mauritius.
India is the world's 2nd largest fish producer (behind China) and 2nd largest aquaculture producer, with total fish production of ~17.8 million tonnes in 2022-23.
Inland fisheries (~13.14 MT) far exceed marine fisheries (~3.69 MT) in India — reflecting the success of freshwater aquaculture. Inland fisheries account for ~74% of total production.
India's EEZ covers 2.37 million km² — one of the world's largest fishing zones. Continental shelf area is ~530,000 km², rich in demersal fish; potential marine production ~5 MT/year is significantly underutilised.
Gujarat is India's largest marine fish landing state (~22% share), driven by mechanised trawlers from Veraval, Porbandar, and Mangrol, overtaking Kerala in recent years.
Andhra Pradesh is India's largest aquaculture state, contributing ~40% of India's aquaculture output, primarily shrimp and carp from the Krishna delta region.
Kochi (Cochin) Fishing Harbour, Kerala, is the largest major fishing harbour in India. Veraval, Gujarat, has India's largest cluster of fishing vessels.
Frozen shrimp is India's #1 seafood export commodity, constituting ~43% of total seafood export value. The USA is the largest buyer of Indian shrimp. Total seafood exports earned ~₹63,969 crore in 2023-24.
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) was established in 1972 under the MPEDA Act; its headquarters is in Kochi, Kerala. It promotes marine product exports and quality standards.
Hilsa (Ilish) is an anadromous fish — breeds in freshwater (Ganga/Hooghly), grows in marine waters. It is Bangladesh's national fish; India's Hooghly Hilsa is now severely overfished.
India's Blue Economy, as defined by the NITI Aayog framework (2021), encompasses 12 thematic areas. India's ocean economy was estimated at ~US$80 billion; the target is US$170 billion by 2030.
The Palk Bay dispute involves Tamil Nadu fishers regularly crossing into Sri Lanka's territorial waters, leading to arrests — an ongoing diplomatic issue between India and Sri Lanka.
Related Chapters
Marine Geography of India
India's marine geography — EEZ (2.37 million km²), UNCLOS zones, ocean currents, coral reefs (bleaching), mangroves (Sundarbans), deep-sea mining, Blue Economy, and marine fisheries.
Indian Ocean — Oceanography and Maritime Significance
Wetlands, Mangroves & Ramsar Sites of India
India's Island Territories — Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep